Bow tie clip



April 29, 1958 F. B. POLACHEK ETAL 2,832,076

BOW TIE CLIP Filed April 10, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORS fiwmr 15. fbmc/rz/r i zmwzmww ,Qz/rwM/r 0w rg i FTTORHEKS A r1l29, 1958 F. B. POLACHEK ETAL 2,832,076

7 Bow TIE CLIP Filed April 10, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS i ax 19 TTOANEKS April 29, 1958 Filed April 10, 1953 F. B. POLACHEK ETAL BOW TIE CLIP 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 HTTO PNEFS United tates Patent .0

BOW TIE CLIP Frank B. Polachek, Los Angeles, Calif., and Bernard L. Polkosnik, Bridgeport, Conn.; said Polkosnik assignor to said Polachek Application April 10, 1953, Serial No. 347,958

3 Claims. (Cl. 2-154) Our invention relates to a preformed bow tie and clip therefor and the objects of our invention include:

First, to provide a bow tie clip which is so arranged that one arm at each side thereof is concealed within the bow tie end, being covered by the material of the bow tie. The cloth-to-cloth grip thus afforded saves the outer surface of the collar from possible rust stains and from frame or markings by the metal clamp and, furthermore, given equal spring tension, holds the tie in place more securely and with less chance of slippage than is the case with the conventional exposed metal bow tie clip;

Second, to provide a bow tie clip that is especially easy to manipulate and dependable functionally, yet which can be manufactured economically.

Third, to provide a bow tie clip wherein the angular movement of the bow tie tabs, in the course of opening and closing the clip, is purposely limited so as to save undue wear on the central portion of the tie and to minimize misshaping of the tie should the tie be stored with the clip in its open position.

Fourth, to provide a bow tie clip which, although purposely having a relatively low angle opening and closing action, may be arranged to occupy initially a special open position in which the movable clamping arms of the bow tie clip are in substantial parallelism in order to facilitate assembly of the bow tie and the clip and minimize the cost and time of such assembly operations.

Fifth, to provide a bow tie clip which, although inexpensive of manufacture, is so designed and constructed that it may be depended upon to function satisfactorily as long as the bow tie is wearable.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an enlarged plan view showing one form of our bow tie clip with both clamping arms in their clamping position; a

Figure 2 is a side view thereof showing one clamping arm in its open position and the other in its closed position and indicating by broken lines the manner in which the movable clamping arms are concealed in a bow tie;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the movable clamping arms in a special initial position to facilitate assembly of the bow tie and bow tie clip;

Figure 4 is a sectional view through 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified form of the movable clamping arm;

Figure 6 is a plan view of another form of movable clamping arm;

Figure 7 is a side view of a modified form of our bow tie clip, one clamping arm being shown in its clamping position, the other being shown in its open position;

Figure 8 is a plan view thereof taken at right anglesto Figure 7;

'-Figure 9 is a sectional view thereof taken through 9--9 of Figure 7;

'ice

Figure 10 is a side view of a further modified form of our bow tie clip;

Figure 11 is a partial sectional partial plan view taken along the line 11-11 of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a side view of a still form of our bow tie clip;

Figure 13' is a plan view thereof.

In general, the preformed bow tie of the present invention comprises fabric tabs constituting the wings of the bow tie and a clip for mounting the fabric tabs and for attaching the tie to a collar. The clip comprisesa frame having backing clamp members for underlying the collar and clamping arms pivotally mounted. on the frame for movement toward and away from the backing clamps to grip the collar therebetween. The clamping arms extend into pockets in the fabric tabs of the bow tie to support the tabs and provide a fabric covering for the clamping arms. Over-center spring means yielding-1y bias the clamping arms toward the backing clamps at one side of dead center and yieldingly hold the fingers spaced from the backing clamps at the other side of dead center to facilitate assembly with the collar. The overcenter spring means may comprise a sprnig means on the clamping arms cooperating with abutments on the frame or spring means on the frame cooperating with abutments on the clamping arms.

Reference is first directed to Figures 1-4 of the drawings .whereone embodiment of preformed bow tie is illustrated which incorporates the novel features of the present invention. In the construction here illustrated there is provided a frame having a body member 1, which is formed of sheet metal and includes a central channel section 2. The web portion of the channel section is oifset and extends axially to form a pair of fixed oppositely directed backing clamp arms 3 constituting backing clamp members. The flanges of the channel section also extend axially a short distance to form pairs of journal lugs 4. A clamping arm is provided at each end of the frame for cooperation with the backing clamp further modified members and each clamping arm 5 is mounted in one pair of journal lugs 4. Each movable clamping arm is prefer ably formed of wire and includes a pair of parallel legs 6 having out-turned extremities pivoted in the journal lugs 4. The opposite ends of the legs 6 terminate in loops 7 and extending from the loops backward toward the pivoted ends 6 is a tongue 8 constituting a spring arm. The tongue 8 is adapted to extend between the flanges of the channel section 2 and bears against the inturned lugs 9 overlying the journal lugs 4. I

When the movable clamping arm is urged past center, it tends to snap away from the backing clamp and assume a position such as shown at the left side of Figure 2. The actual angular position of the movable clamping arm is determined by an offset 10 formed in the tongue 8 and constituting a stop portion. This offset bears against the bridge formed by inturned lugs 9 to hold the movable clamp member 5 at an angular position relative to the backing clamp member 3. It. is desirable, however, thatfor purposes of assembly the movable clamping areas ti be capable of occupying a position parallel to each other and at substantially right angles to the backing clamp arms as shown in Figure 3. It will be seen that 'by forcing the offset it) past the inturned lugs that the movable clamp members can be brought to the position shown in Figure 3.

i The conventional bow tie with which our bow tie clip is intended to be used is formed of tubular fabric material folded to-form the loops and tabs of a bow tie. The rearward loop or tab of the bow tie, designated A, is provided with slits B in its rear wall. These slits are so located that the movable clampmembers may be readily assao're the movable clamp members are forced to their angular position shown to the left of Figure 2, retaining the bow tie thereon. The assembly is completed by applying a band C about the middle of the bow tie and around the channel section of the member 1.

It Will be observed that after assembly the rearward layer of cloth comprising the bow tie covers the movable clamping arms so that fastening the tie and clip to ones collar, the outer side of the collar is not directly engaged by the metal comprising the movable clamping arms, but instead is engaged by the interposed layer of cloth which forms a part of the bow tie. it should be pointed out that this is an important feature inasmuch as damage to the collar is greatly reduced. If desired the extremities of the backing clamp arms 3 may be pro vided with rudimentary bosses 3a which coact with the loops 7 to improve the grip afforded by the backing clamp arms 3 and movable clamping arms.

Reference is directed to Figure in which the tongu 8 is shown as provided with lateral offset portions litlcr instead of the offset ltl shown in Figure 3. The lateral offsets engage stops ltlb formed by the extremities of the channel section adjacent the intu-rncd lugs 9.

While it is preferred to form the movable clamping arms 5 from wire, it will be seen from Figure 6 that they may be stamped from sheet material to provide the pivoted legs 60, loops 7a and tongue 8a, which function in the manner of the corresponding parts of the first described structure.

Rcference is directed to Figures 7, 8 and 9. In the structure here shown a body member 11 is formed of sheet material. The body member includes channelshaped opposed backing clamp arms 12 which may be provided with cushion tips 13. At the center of the body member the side flanges are increased in height and terminate in oppositely directed channel lugs 14, which receive movable clamping arms 15. These clamping arms are formed of sheet metal and are essentially L-shaped in side aspect to form a long arm 16 and cam projections 17. The clamp arms may be provided with stiffening ribs 1.8. The pivot axis of each clamping arm is preferably located about midway along the cam projection 17.

A leaf spring 19 extends longitudinally of the body member between its side flanges and overlies the pivot axes of the movable clamping arms. The central portion of the leaf spring is secured by retainer lugs 20 folded inwardly from the flanges of the body member 11. The extremities of the spring are so disposed that, as the movable clamping arms swing toward the backing clamp arms, as shown in the right-hand portion of Figure 7, the cam projections slide along the spring from a parallel to a perpendicular relation to pry outward the spring 19 and thus exerts a force tending to close the clamping arms 15 against the backing clamp 12. When the cam projection 17 is forced past dead center in the opposite direction the spring so engages the cam projection as to urge the movable clamping arms 15 towards an upright position, such as shown at the left side of Figure 7. The extremity of the spring 19 may serve as a stop.

Referring to Figures 10 and ll. The structure here illustrated is similar to the preceding construction, particularly in regard to the body member 11. In place of the clamping arms 15, modified movable clamping arms 21 are provided, the clamping arms 22 of which have reinforcing side flanges 23. In this case the movable clamp members 21 are provided with cam projections extending obtusely from the clamp arms 22. The direction and placement of the cam projections 24 are such as to bear against a leaf spring 25 held in the manner of the leaf spring 19 by retainer lugs 20.

The spring 25 terminates in folded or looped ends 26 disposed for engagement by the cam tips. With this arrangement a relatively long spring may be provided in the limited space available. The interaction of the cam projection 24 and loops ends 26 of the spring is essentially the same as in the previously described structure in that the movable clamping arms, as they approach the fixed backing clamp, are urged into clamping action, whereas, when moved past dead center, movable clamping arms spring away from the fixed backing clamp members.

The clamping arms 22 may be provided with apertures 22a which are capable of receiving the looped extremities of the spring 25 so that these arms may be moved into substantial parallelism for purposes of assembly as indicated by broken lines in Figure 10. It should be observed that the side flanges 23, which are directed toward the backing clamps 12, may coact therewith to aid in securing the bow tie in place.

Referring next to Figures 12 and 13, the structure here illustrated provides a central body member 31 of channelshaped cross section having a central Web 32' and side flanges 33. At their central portions the side flanges are provided with inturned retainer lugs 34. A fixed backing clamp member and spring strip 35 having an offset center portion 36 is arranged so that the center portion overlies the retainer lugs 34 and the extremities project outwardly from each other beyond the body member 31 to form fixed but yieldable backing clamps 37. The side flanges of the body member 31 form journal lugs 33 which receive movable clamping arms 39. Each movable clamping arm includes an arm 40 and a cam projection 41 so directed as to bear against the fixed backing clamp and coact with the open loop 36 and retainer lugs 34 to maintain the backing clamp in position. The angular relation of the cam projections 41 with respect to the clamp arms 40 is such that they may be moved past dead center whereby the reaction of the spring constituting the fixed clamp member may cause the clamp arms to close against the arm 37 as indicated at the right side of Figure 12, or to open as indicated at the left side of Figure 12.

With regard to each of the modified forms described, the assembly is essentially the same as in the first described structure, that is, the movable clamping arms are inserted into the tabs and under the fabric of the bow tie, so that it is this fabric rather than the movable clamping arms which engage the outer surface of ones collar when the bow tie is fixed in place.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but our invention is of the full.

scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A preformed bow tie clip for attachment to the tabs of a collar comprising in combination tabs of fabric having clip receiving pockets therein, a clip frame to which said bow tie is afiixed adjacent the central portion thereof, a pair of backing clamp members oppositely extending from said frame for insertion under said collar tabs, 21 pair of clamping arms pivotally mounted on said frame and oppositely projecting therefrom adjacent said backing clamp members, over-ccnter spring means on each of said clamping arms including spring members attached to said clamping arms remotely from said pivotal mounting thereof and coacting with said frame for biasing said clamping arms toward said backing clamp members for clamping engagement of said collar tabs therebetween, each of said clamping arms and at least a substantial portion of said spring members projecting into and being covered by said clip receiving pockets in said fabric tabs of said tie preventing direct contact of said clamping arms and spring means with said collar tabs.

2. A preformed bow tie clip for attachment to the tabs of a collar comprising in combination tabs of fabric having clip receiving pockets therein, a clip frame to which said bow tie is affixed adjacent the central portion thereof, a pair of backing clamp members oppositely extending from said frame for insertion under said collar tabs, 2. pair of clamping arms pivotally mounted on said frame and oppositely projecting therefrom adjacent said backing clamp members, said clamping arms being movable about said pivotal mounting from a first position of substantial parallelism with each other to a secend position of clamping relation with said backing clamp members, spring means attached to said clamping arms remotely from said pivotal mountings thereof and coacting with said frame for biasing said clamping arms from said first position towards said second position, and a stop member on said spring means for resiliently holding said clamping arms in an intermediate position between said first and second positions, each of said clamping arms and at least a portion of said spring means projecting into and being covered by said clip receiving pockets in said tie for preventing direct contact of said clamping arms and springmeans with said collar tabs.

3. A preformed bow tie clip for attachment to the tabs of a collar comprising in combination tabs of fabric having clip receiving pockets therein, a clip frame to which said bow tie is aflixed adjacent the central portion thereof, a pair of backing clamp members oppositely extending from said frame for insertion under said collar tabs, a pair of clamping arms pivotally mounted on said frame and oppositely projecting therefrom adjacent said backing clamp members, over-center spring means attached to said clamping arms and coacting with said frame for biasing said arms towards said backing clamp members for clamping engagement of said collar tabs therebetween, each of said clamping arms and a substantial portion of said spring means projecting into and being covered by said clip receiving pockets in said fabric tabs of said bow tie for preventing direct contact of said clamping arms and spring means with said collar tabs, and stop portions on said spring means for releasably holding said clamping arms selectively in a first position substantially parallel to each other and perpen dicular to said backing clamp members for insertion of said clamping arms into said clip receiving pockets and in a second position spaced from said backing clamp members but substantially closer thereto than said first position for insertion of said collar tabs between said backing clamp members and said tie.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 394,589 Martin Dec. 18, 1888 422,906 Booth Mar. 11, 1890 801,067 Ferris Oct. 3, 1905 897,976 German Sept. 8, 1908 948,917 Boyland Feb. 8, 1910 1,178,458 Rea Apr. 4, 1916 1,263,214 De Steiger Apr. 16, 1918 1,316,632 Morse Sept. 23, 1919 1,398,126 Cochrane Nov. 22, 1921 1,509,444 Pithouse Sept. 23, 1924 2,001,213 Pearson May 14, 1935 2,230,984 Chernow Feb. 4, 1941 2,304,348 Firon et al. Dec. 8, 1942 2,400,513 Jellinek May 21, 1946 2,447,843 Cookman Aug. 24, 1948 2,458,265 Head Jan. 4, 1949 2,668,341 Arzt Feb. 9, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 6,157 Great Britain ...Of 1882 257,429 Great Britain .of 1926 347,549 France of 1905 448,050 Great Britain of 1936 

